Sean Viator, a dancer and choreographer who performed on TV shows American Idol and Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga on Netflix, died May 3 at 31, his family announced, No cause was given.
Viator received a Bachelor’s degree of fine arts in dance from the University of Arizona, where he graduated summa cum laude. He was awarded the university’s top dance award — The Triple Threat Award.
Some of Viator’s credits include the Billboard Music Awards, appearing with Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato, an American Idol season finale performance with Kylie Minogue, the I’m Ready music video for Sam Smith and Demi Lovato, and the Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, according to his biography.
In addition to the Eurovision Song Contest on Netflix, Viator appeared in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime, Physical on Apple TV, Interior Chinatown on Hulu, and the Latin Grammys.
Viator...
Viator received a Bachelor’s degree of fine arts in dance from the University of Arizona, where he graduated summa cum laude. He was awarded the university’s top dance award — The Triple Threat Award.
Some of Viator’s credits include the Billboard Music Awards, appearing with Christina Aguilera and Demi Lovato, an American Idol season finale performance with Kylie Minogue, the I’m Ready music video for Sam Smith and Demi Lovato, and the Radio City Rockettes’ Christmas Spectacular, according to his biography.
In addition to the Eurovision Song Contest on Netflix, Viator appeared in The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel on Amazon Prime, Physical on Apple TV, Interior Chinatown on Hulu, and the Latin Grammys.
Viator...
- 5/9/2024
- by Bruce Haring
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Adam McKay’s Hyperobject Industries will soon debut two new comedy podcasts: Tiny Dinos, from Connor Ratliff and James III, and Allan McLeod’s Walkin’ About.
Tiny Dinos premieres May 7, with episodes dropping weekly on Tuesdays, while Walkin’ About debuts on May 15, with episodes released weekly on Wednesdays. Both series will be available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. A trailer for Tiny Dinos can be found above.
Tiny Dinos
“Connor, James and Allan are all very talented comedians, and Lord knows we all can use some laughter these days,” said McKay in a statement to Deadline. “But they’re also asking questions that boldly challenge the international corporate power structure like ‘What happens if I start taking regular walks?’ And ‘What would happen if we brought dinosaurs back but they were super tiny?'”
In Tiny Dinos, Ratliff takes improv to the next...
Tiny Dinos premieres May 7, with episodes dropping weekly on Tuesdays, while Walkin’ About debuts on May 15, with episodes released weekly on Wednesdays. Both series will be available on major podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify and Amazon Music. A trailer for Tiny Dinos can be found above.
Tiny Dinos
“Connor, James and Allan are all very talented comedians, and Lord knows we all can use some laughter these days,” said McKay in a statement to Deadline. “But they’re also asking questions that boldly challenge the international corporate power structure like ‘What happens if I start taking regular walks?’ And ‘What would happen if we brought dinosaurs back but they were super tiny?'”
In Tiny Dinos, Ratliff takes improv to the next...
- 4/23/2024
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
A “Golden Axe” animated series has been greenlit at Comedy Central, Variety has learned.
Based on the beloved Sega games of the same name, the show hails from co-creators Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler. Matthew Rhys, Danny Pudi, Lisa Gilroy, Liam McIntyre, and Carl Tart will lead the voice cast.
Comedy Central has ordered 10 episodes. The official description of the series states the show “follows veteran warriors Ax Battler (McIntyre), Tyris Flare (Gilroy), and Gilius Thunderhead (Rhys) as they once again battle to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder who just won’t seem to stay dead. Fortunately, this time they have the inexperienced and underprepared Hampton Squib (Pudi) on their side.”
Full character descriptions can be found below.
McMahan and Chandler will co-write the first episode of the series and serve as executive producers, with Chandler also serving as showrunner. Haruki Satomi, President and CEO of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc.
Based on the beloved Sega games of the same name, the show hails from co-creators Mike McMahan and Joe Chandler. Matthew Rhys, Danny Pudi, Lisa Gilroy, Liam McIntyre, and Carl Tart will lead the voice cast.
Comedy Central has ordered 10 episodes. The official description of the series states the show “follows veteran warriors Ax Battler (McIntyre), Tyris Flare (Gilroy), and Gilius Thunderhead (Rhys) as they once again battle to save Yuria from the evil giant Death Adder who just won’t seem to stay dead. Fortunately, this time they have the inexperienced and underprepared Hampton Squib (Pudi) on their side.”
Full character descriptions can be found below.
McMahan and Chandler will co-write the first episode of the series and serve as executive producers, with Chandler also serving as showrunner. Haruki Satomi, President and CEO of Sega Sammy Holdings Inc.
- 4/17/2024
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Participant, the 20-year-old film and television production company whose mission was to inspire social justice and humanitarian action, is shutting down.
Founder Jeff Skoll broke the news to a staff of roughly 100 on Tuesday. Established in 2004, Participant co-produced or co-financed a number of notable movies including best picture Oscar winners “Spotlight” and “Green Book,” as well as Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and the breakthrough documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Almost all of Participant’s employees will be dismissed, multiple sources familiar with its plans said, and no new content development or production will be pursued. What’s left will be a skeletal holding company overseeing the Participant library, which represents interests in the 135 films it has made.
“I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability. Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created,...
Founder Jeff Skoll broke the news to a staff of roughly 100 on Tuesday. Established in 2004, Participant co-produced or co-financed a number of notable movies including best picture Oscar winners “Spotlight” and “Green Book,” as well as Steven Spielberg’s “Lincoln” and the breakthrough documentary “An Inconvenient Truth.”
Almost all of Participant’s employees will be dismissed, multiple sources familiar with its plans said, and no new content development or production will be pursued. What’s left will be a skeletal holding company overseeing the Participant library, which represents interests in the 135 films it has made.
“I founded Participant with the mission of creating world-class content that inspires positive social change, prioritizing impact alongside commercial sustainability. Since then, the entertainment industry has seen revolutionary changes in how content is created,...
- 4/16/2024
- by Matt Donnelly
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Participant is bringing The Forgotten Revolutionary, based on journalist Adolfo Guzman-Lopez’s LAist Studios podcast Imperfect Paradise: The Forgotten Revolutionary, to the small screen. The company is simultaneously developing both a scripted and documentary limited series based on the podcast with producer Juan Devis. Rodney Lucas will direct the unscripted series, and Devis’ Ninetythree Media will produce.
The podcast follows host and reporter Guzman-Lopez as he investigates the death of college student and radio host Oscar Gomez. One of California’s Chicano student rights movement’s most prominent voices, Gomez was mysteriously found dead on the Santa Barbara shore in 1994. As Guzman-Lopez looks further into what happened, he revisits his own past and ties to the Chicano movement.
“We are looking forward to partnering with Participant on the production and development of both series, based on Adolfo Guzman-Lopez’s incredible true-crime investigative podcast from LAist,” said Devis. “Cross fading times and eras,...
The podcast follows host and reporter Guzman-Lopez as he investigates the death of college student and radio host Oscar Gomez. One of California’s Chicano student rights movement’s most prominent voices, Gomez was mysteriously found dead on the Santa Barbara shore in 1994. As Guzman-Lopez looks further into what happened, he revisits his own past and ties to the Chicano movement.
“We are looking forward to partnering with Participant on the production and development of both series, based on Adolfo Guzman-Lopez’s incredible true-crime investigative podcast from LAist,” said Devis. “Cross fading times and eras,...
- 2/29/2024
- by Denise Petski
- Deadline Film + TV
Deadline has learned that producer Dan Lin is taking over for Scott Stuber as Netflix’s top film boss. Lin begins his new role April 1 and will report to Bela Bajaria, Netflix’s chief content officer.
The replacement came rather quick as insiders at the streamer figured the hiring process would take months, with Netflix’s feature slate for the next year being set in stone.
Sean Bailey’s name had been floated, but the former Disney Live-Action Motion Picture production boss didn’t take the job; there also was word that former Universal and DreamWorks chief Stacey Snider had a sit-down with Ted Sarandos. Also there was buzz that Netflix would promote from within for Stuber’s job; that didn’t happen.
Lin is already in business with Netflix as the executive producer of their successful new series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which launched on February 22. He also produced...
The replacement came rather quick as insiders at the streamer figured the hiring process would take months, with Netflix’s feature slate for the next year being set in stone.
Sean Bailey’s name had been floated, but the former Disney Live-Action Motion Picture production boss didn’t take the job; there also was word that former Universal and DreamWorks chief Stacey Snider had a sit-down with Ted Sarandos. Also there was buzz that Netflix would promote from within for Stuber’s job; that didn’t happen.
Lin is already in business with Netflix as the executive producer of their successful new series Avatar: The Last Airbender, which launched on February 22. He also produced...
- 2/28/2024
- by Anthony D'Alessandro and Mike Fleming Jr
- Deadline Film + TV
From historical dramas to far-flung sci-fi adventures from big-name franchises, there are some fantastic shows and movies coming to Hulu this year!
As 2024 rolls in, with it comes a new batch of hotly anticipated shows and movies for every streaming service. Hulu has had some of the hottest shows on the block in recent years, though strikes by Hollywood’s biggest writers’ and actors’ unions likely threw off production schedules enough to ensure there are no new seasons of “The Bear” or “Only Murders in the Building” this year.
Hulu makes it a bit more difficult to say when its shows and movies are coming to the platform this year, as it has not unveiled its official release schedule for titles past February. However, there are a large number of shows and movies confirmed for the service this year, and you can check out The Streamable’s most-anticipated among those below!
As 2024 rolls in, with it comes a new batch of hotly anticipated shows and movies for every streaming service. Hulu has had some of the hottest shows on the block in recent years, though strikes by Hollywood’s biggest writers’ and actors’ unions likely threw off production schedules enough to ensure there are no new seasons of “The Bear” or “Only Murders in the Building” this year.
Hulu makes it a bit more difficult to say when its shows and movies are coming to the platform this year, as it has not unveiled its official release schedule for titles past February. However, there are a large number of shows and movies confirmed for the service this year, and you can check out The Streamable’s most-anticipated among those below!
- 1/3/2024
- by David Satin
- The Streamable
What part of writing do writers actually enjoy? The answers from the six panelists on the 2023 THR Writer Roundtable — Fair Play’s Chloe Domont, All of Us Strangers’ Andrew Haigh, American Fiction’s Cord Jefferson, Poor Things’ Tony McNamara, Killers of the Flower Moon’s Eric Roth and Past Lives’ Celine Song — run the gamut from “everything” to “none of it.”
The answer to that question is not the only thing that differentiates the participants. Three were born in America, while one hails from South Korea (Song), another from Australia (McNamara) and still another from England (Haigh). One has been writing screenplays for more than a half-century (Roth), while three had never written a script that was turned into a film (Domont, Jefferson and Song). Two of their 2023 films were original (Domont and Song), while four were adapted from books (Haigh, Jefferson, McNamara and Roth). And two handed their scripts...
The answer to that question is not the only thing that differentiates the participants. Three were born in America, while one hails from South Korea (Song), another from Australia (McNamara) and still another from England (Haigh). One has been writing screenplays for more than a half-century (Roth), while three had never written a script that was turned into a film (Domont, Jefferson and Song). Two of their 2023 films were original (Domont and Song), while four were adapted from books (Haigh, Jefferson, McNamara and Roth). And two handed their scripts...
- 12/8/2023
- by Scott Feinberg
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Encountering Percival Everett’s Erasure was serendipitous for Cord Jefferson, as he saw many similarities between himself and the character of Monk. He knew he needed to write and direct the film adaptation, and discovered the perfect casting when he began reading it in the voice of Jeffrey Wright. He ran into some difficulty finding studios willing to take a “risk” on a comedic satire of how the establishment profits from offensive tropes in Black entertainment. Luckily, T-Street Productions and Orion Pictures were willing to back the first-time director and from there the hilariously insightful American Fiction was born.
Jeffrey Wright as Monk in American Fiction.
Deadline: How did you first find Percival Everett’s Erasure?
Cord Jefferson: I, like most people in the world, had a very terrible 2020. Besides just Covid, I had this really huge professional failure in my life that year where I thought I was very,...
Jeffrey Wright as Monk in American Fiction.
Deadline: How did you first find Percival Everett’s Erasure?
Cord Jefferson: I, like most people in the world, had a very terrible 2020. Besides just Covid, I had this really huge professional failure in my life that year where I thought I was very,...
- 11/28/2023
- by Ryan Fleming
- Deadline Film + TV
Cord Jefferson didn’t always know he wanted to be a director. While working on Netflix’s comedy series “Master of None,” actor/writer/creator Aziz Ansari asked Jefferson out of the blue if he ever wanted to direct. Jefferson recalls, “I said, ‘No, I’ve never been to film school, I don’t know anything about cameras or lighting. I don’t think that’s for me.”
But Jefferson says Ansari’s response “planted the seed” for what would be a catalyst for him to tackle his directorial debut, “American Fiction,” based on the novel “Erasure.” “He said, ‘Dude, I went to NYU for business. I never went to film school. I’ve just been on sets and paid attention. All you need to do is hire people who understand the technical stuff and then be able to articulate what’s in your head.”
On this episode of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast,...
But Jefferson says Ansari’s response “planted the seed” for what would be a catalyst for him to tackle his directorial debut, “American Fiction,” based on the novel “Erasure.” “He said, ‘Dude, I went to NYU for business. I never went to film school. I’ve just been on sets and paid attention. All you need to do is hire people who understand the technical stuff and then be able to articulate what’s in your head.”
On this episode of the award-winning Variety Awards Circuit Podcast,...
- 11/10/2023
- by Clayton Davis
- Variety Film + TV
Jeffrey Wright is a frustrated author bent on making the publishing industry see its own racist hypocrisy in the first trailer for American Fiction.
In Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut, Jeffrey Wright plays Monk, a frustrated author who decides to take on the culture’s obsession with reducing people to stereotypes, particularly entertainment that profits and peddles in tired — and offensive — tropes about Black Americans.
“What really struck me was that too few books were about my people. Where’s our stories? Where’s our representation?” Issa Rae’s Sintara Golden, a rising Black author, is seen telling a crowd in the trailer, before she begins to read from her new book. “Yo, Sharonda! Girl, you be pregnant again?!’ ‘If I is, Ray Ray’s goin’ be a real father this time around.'”
The excerpt garners a standing ovation from the room and a deep pain for Monk, who...
In Cord Jefferson’s directorial debut, Jeffrey Wright plays Monk, a frustrated author who decides to take on the culture’s obsession with reducing people to stereotypes, particularly entertainment that profits and peddles in tired — and offensive — tropes about Black Americans.
“What really struck me was that too few books were about my people. Where’s our stories? Where’s our representation?” Issa Rae’s Sintara Golden, a rising Black author, is seen telling a crowd in the trailer, before she begins to read from her new book. “Yo, Sharonda! Girl, you be pregnant again?!’ ‘If I is, Ray Ray’s goin’ be a real father this time around.'”
The excerpt garners a standing ovation from the room and a deep pain for Monk, who...
- 10/16/2023
- by Abbey White
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Fifth Season owner Cj Enm has a new scripted chief in the U.S.
Elsie Choi has joined Cj Enm America as Head of Scripted TV, effective immediately and will report to the South Korean company’s U.S. Scripted President, Angela Killoren.
She’ll work out of LA and focus on Cj Enm’s mission to develop and produce inclusive original series globally. Choi will be the creative point of contact for the company and its internationally-based subsidiary/affiliate content studios in the U.S. Furthermore, she’ll look to adapt titles from Cj’s library for English-speaking and global audiences.
Before joining, Choi was non-writing exec producer on upcoming Hulu series Interior Chinatown, which Charles Yu is creating and 20th Television is producing based on the 2020 novel of the same name. More recently, she was Head of Cable/Streaming TV at Rideback, where she was also Executive Director...
Elsie Choi has joined Cj Enm America as Head of Scripted TV, effective immediately and will report to the South Korean company’s U.S. Scripted President, Angela Killoren.
She’ll work out of LA and focus on Cj Enm’s mission to develop and produce inclusive original series globally. Choi will be the creative point of contact for the company and its internationally-based subsidiary/affiliate content studios in the U.S. Furthermore, she’ll look to adapt titles from Cj’s library for English-speaking and global audiences.
Before joining, Choi was non-writing exec producer on upcoming Hulu series Interior Chinatown, which Charles Yu is creating and 20th Television is producing based on the 2020 novel of the same name. More recently, she was Head of Cable/Streaming TV at Rideback, where she was also Executive Director...
- 10/6/2023
- by Jesse Whittock
- Deadline Film + TV
Korean entertainment giant Cj Enm has hired Los Angeles-based producer Elsie Choi to serve as head of scripted TV at its U.S. office.
Choi most recently served as an executive producer on 20th Television/Hulu TV’s upcoming series Interior Chinatown, based on Charles Yu. It stars Jimmy O. Yang and is directed by Taika Waititi.
Cj Enm is South Korea’s largest entertainment conglomerate, known for everything from producing Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite to creating scores of hit K-drama series and operating the country’s largest movie theater chain. Last year, Cj Enm closed a $785 million deal for majority control of Hollywood production powerhouse Endeavor Content and renamed the studio Fifth Season.
Choi will be based in Cj Enm America’s Los Angeles office, reporting to Angela Killoren, president of U.S. Scripted. She will serve as the creative point of contact for Cj Enm and...
Choi most recently served as an executive producer on 20th Television/Hulu TV’s upcoming series Interior Chinatown, based on Charles Yu. It stars Jimmy O. Yang and is directed by Taika Waititi.
Cj Enm is South Korea’s largest entertainment conglomerate, known for everything from producing Bong Joon-ho’s Oscar-winning film Parasite to creating scores of hit K-drama series and operating the country’s largest movie theater chain. Last year, Cj Enm closed a $785 million deal for majority control of Hollywood production powerhouse Endeavor Content and renamed the studio Fifth Season.
Choi will be based in Cj Enm America’s Los Angeles office, reporting to Angela Killoren, president of U.S. Scripted. She will serve as the creative point of contact for Cj Enm and...
- 10/6/2023
- by Patrick Brzeski
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Cj Enm America has appointed Elsie Choi as its new executive vice president and head of scripted TV.
In her new role, Choi will develop and produce original series that seek to further the company’s mission to create inclusive narratives globally. She will serve as the creative point of contact for Cj Enm and its internationally based subsidiaries and affiliate content studios in the United States. She’s also tasked with helping to expand the company’s footprint by adapting titles from its extensive library for English-speaking and global audiences.
Subsidiaries under Cj Enm include Studio Dragon, Enm Studios and Fifth Season, as well as a minority stake in Skydance. The company also has strategic partnerships with Skydance and Paramount, the latter of which includes co-productions for original series and films, content licensing and distribution across both company’s streaming services.
Prior to Cj Enm America, Choi served as...
In her new role, Choi will develop and produce original series that seek to further the company’s mission to create inclusive narratives globally. She will serve as the creative point of contact for Cj Enm and its internationally based subsidiaries and affiliate content studios in the United States. She’s also tasked with helping to expand the company’s footprint by adapting titles from its extensive library for English-speaking and global audiences.
Subsidiaries under Cj Enm include Studio Dragon, Enm Studios and Fifth Season, as well as a minority stake in Skydance. The company also has strategic partnerships with Skydance and Paramount, the latter of which includes co-productions for original series and films, content licensing and distribution across both company’s streaming services.
Prior to Cj Enm America, Choi served as...
- 10/5/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
Elsie Choi, a film and TV development veteran who has worked for such producers as Dan Lin and Bruce Willis, has joined Los Angeles-based Cj Enm America as executive VP and head of scripted TV.
Cj Enm is a South Korean entertainment company that has produced content such as Oscar-winning film “Parasite” and popular Korean fantasy drama series “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.” Among the company’s recent productions are the romantic drama “Past Lives” with A24. It’s also the company behind the annual Kcon Korean pop culture conference and concerts held in downtown Los Angeles in August.
Choi most recently served as an executive producer on the upcoming 20th Television/Hulu TV series “Interior Chinatown,” based on Charles Yu’s 2020 novel of the same name. Taika Waititi serves as director and executive producer on the series which stars Jimmy O. Yang.
Choi has had a long career in film and TV.
Cj Enm is a South Korean entertainment company that has produced content such as Oscar-winning film “Parasite” and popular Korean fantasy drama series “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.” Among the company’s recent productions are the romantic drama “Past Lives” with A24. It’s also the company behind the annual Kcon Korean pop culture conference and concerts held in downtown Los Angeles in August.
Choi most recently served as an executive producer on the upcoming 20th Television/Hulu TV series “Interior Chinatown,” based on Charles Yu’s 2020 novel of the same name. Taika Waititi serves as director and executive producer on the series which stars Jimmy O. Yang.
Choi has had a long career in film and TV.
- 10/5/2023
- by Valerie Wu
- Variety Film + TV
Exclusive: Filmmaker Cord Jefferson has, in recent years, made two life-changing decisions.
In 2008, he donated a kidney to his father.
“That was easy,” he said.
“That was one of the easiest decisions I ever made. I mean, he gave me life. I feel like the kidney’s half his,” the 41-year-old declared.
A few years later, Jefferson read novelist Percival Everett’s book Erasure.
Then he adapted it for the big screen and called it American Fiction. The project became his feature film directorial debut.
The searingly provocative movie had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and has emerged as one of the best films of the year, joining the handful of movies that have so far galvanized the fall festivals at Venice, Telluride and Toronto.
Orion Pictures releases American Fiction in select theaters November 3, expanding it November 17.
To my shame, American Fiction had not registered in my...
In 2008, he donated a kidney to his father.
“That was easy,” he said.
“That was one of the easiest decisions I ever made. I mean, he gave me life. I feel like the kidney’s half his,” the 41-year-old declared.
A few years later, Jefferson read novelist Percival Everett’s book Erasure.
Then he adapted it for the big screen and called it American Fiction. The project became his feature film directorial debut.
The searingly provocative movie had its world premiere at the Toronto Film Festival and has emerged as one of the best films of the year, joining the handful of movies that have so far galvanized the fall festivals at Venice, Telluride and Toronto.
Orion Pictures releases American Fiction in select theaters November 3, expanding it November 17.
To my shame, American Fiction had not registered in my...
- 9/13/2023
- by Baz Bamigboye
- Deadline Film + TV
On-location television production in Los Angeles declined 36.4% year over year during the second quarter of 2023 as the Writers Guild of America put pencils down and went on strike after contract negotiations with the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers fell apart.
Television production had an aggregate total of 2,630 shoot days, according to FilmLA, a partner film office for the city and county and other local jurisdictions. One “shoot day” is defined as one crew’s permission to film at one or more defined locations during all or part of any given 24-hour period.
TV drama and comedy shoot days totaled 360 and 84, respectively, down 36.4% and 72.8% compared to the same period in 2022 and 52.8% and 72.8% compared to the previous quarter. Scripted TV productions that filmed during the quarter prior to the strike included “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “S.W.A.T.” (CBS), “The Old Man” (FX), “Good Trouble” (Freeform), “Interior Chinatown” (Hulu), and “How to be a Bookie...
Television production had an aggregate total of 2,630 shoot days, according to FilmLA, a partner film office for the city and county and other local jurisdictions. One “shoot day” is defined as one crew’s permission to film at one or more defined locations during all or part of any given 24-hour period.
TV drama and comedy shoot days totaled 360 and 84, respectively, down 36.4% and 72.8% compared to the same period in 2022 and 52.8% and 72.8% compared to the previous quarter. Scripted TV productions that filmed during the quarter prior to the strike included “Grey’s Anatomy” (ABC), “S.W.A.T.” (CBS), “The Old Man” (FX), “Good Trouble” (Freeform), “Interior Chinatown” (Hulu), and “How to be a Bookie...
- 7/19/2023
- by Lucas Manfredi
- The Wrap
FilmLA has reported a sharp production decline in 2023’s second quarter.
On-location production was down 28.8 percent from April to June, with only 6,566 shoot days. The data captures the impact of the Writers Guild of America strike, which began on May 2. The actors union did not begin striking until July.
“Greater Los Angeles is the North American epicenter of scripted television production. Before long, this sector’s shutdown will be felt in every corner of the regional economy,” said FilmLA’s president Paul Audley. “Like all others watching with hope from the sidelines, we are eager to see the studios and unions reopen their contract negotiations,” Audley continued. “Much is at stake for WGA and SAG-AFTRA members, and also for the small business supply chain on which future filming depends.”
Feature film production dropped by 18.9 percent with only 728 shoot days, 26.6 percent below the category’s five-year average.
Nearly all feature projects...
On-location production was down 28.8 percent from April to June, with only 6,566 shoot days. The data captures the impact of the Writers Guild of America strike, which began on May 2. The actors union did not begin striking until July.
“Greater Los Angeles is the North American epicenter of scripted television production. Before long, this sector’s shutdown will be felt in every corner of the regional economy,” said FilmLA’s president Paul Audley. “Like all others watching with hope from the sidelines, we are eager to see the studios and unions reopen their contract negotiations,” Audley continued. “Much is at stake for WGA and SAG-AFTRA members, and also for the small business supply chain on which future filming depends.”
Feature film production dropped by 18.9 percent with only 728 shoot days, 26.6 percent below the category’s five-year average.
Nearly all feature projects...
- 7/19/2023
- by Jazz Tangcay
- Variety Film + TV
Nearly 80 days into a strike with no end in sight and another that just started, film production in Los Angeles has plummeted and will likely keep sinking.
The decline in the second quarter of this year marks the sixth consecutive quarterly production drop, which was aggravated by the ongoing writers strike and doesn’t include titles stalled by the work stoppage from SAG-AFTRA members. Shooting for TV shows, which drives the most filming in the area, saw the steepest dip.
“Greater Los Angeles is the North American epicenter of scripted television production,” FilmLA president Paul Audley said in a statement. “Before long, this sector’s shutdown will be felt in every corner of the regional economy.”
Just one month into the quarter, members of the Writers of Guild of America went on strike for the first time in 15 years. Several productions went on pause due to disruptions of not having...
The decline in the second quarter of this year marks the sixth consecutive quarterly production drop, which was aggravated by the ongoing writers strike and doesn’t include titles stalled by the work stoppage from SAG-AFTRA members. Shooting for TV shows, which drives the most filming in the area, saw the steepest dip.
“Greater Los Angeles is the North American epicenter of scripted television production,” FilmLA president Paul Audley said in a statement. “Before long, this sector’s shutdown will be felt in every corner of the regional economy.”
Just one month into the quarter, members of the Writers of Guild of America went on strike for the first time in 15 years. Several productions went on pause due to disruptions of not having...
- 7/19/2023
- by Winston Cho
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
On-location filming in Los Angeles has plummeted during the ongoing Writers Guild strike to levels not seen since the dog days of the Covid pandemic, according to FilmLA, the city and county film permit office.
On-location shooting days for locally produced TV comedies was down 72.8% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year. And the five-year average of second quarters was even worse for comedies, down by 77.1%. Filming of TV dramas, meanwhile, plunged 63.8%, and shoot days for feature films were off by 18.9%.
“The last time production levels were this low, we were in the middle of a global pandemic,” said FilmLA President Paul Audley. “Families and businesses affected then are again being tested today, lending urgency to the moment to sustain creative careers.”
FilmLA’s latest report for the second quarter – from April 1 through June 30 – includes two months of the WGA strike, which began on May...
On-location shooting days for locally produced TV comedies was down 72.8% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period last year. And the five-year average of second quarters was even worse for comedies, down by 77.1%. Filming of TV dramas, meanwhile, plunged 63.8%, and shoot days for feature films were off by 18.9%.
“The last time production levels were this low, we were in the middle of a global pandemic,” said FilmLA President Paul Audley. “Families and businesses affected then are again being tested today, lending urgency to the moment to sustain creative careers.”
FilmLA’s latest report for the second quarter – from April 1 through June 30 – includes two months of the WGA strike, which began on May...
- 7/19/2023
- by David Robb
- Deadline Film + TV
Something hysterical is coming Julie Bowen‘s way, and it’s not a good thing.
The Modern Family vet will star in Hysteria!, a new coming-of-age thriller series from Peacock. Following a group of teenagers in the ’80s, the show will dive into America’s past with mass frenzy, through the lens of satanic panic.
More from TVLineJohn Wick Spinoff The Continental Gets a Bullet-Riddled Teaser -- Plus, Find Out When It Premieres on PeacockHarvey Keitel Boards Peacock Series The Tattooist of AuschwitzCocaine Bear: How to Stream the Gonzo Coked-Up Grizzly Thriller
“When a beloved varsity quarterback disappears...
The Modern Family vet will star in Hysteria!, a new coming-of-age thriller series from Peacock. Following a group of teenagers in the ’80s, the show will dive into America’s past with mass frenzy, through the lens of satanic panic.
More from TVLineJohn Wick Spinoff The Continental Gets a Bullet-Riddled Teaser -- Plus, Find Out When It Premieres on PeacockHarvey Keitel Boards Peacock Series The Tattooist of AuschwitzCocaine Bear: How to Stream the Gonzo Coked-Up Grizzly Thriller
“When a beloved varsity quarterback disappears...
- 4/11/2023
- by Erianne Lewis
- TVLine.com
Chris Pang has joined Hulu’s Interior Chinatown in a pivotal recurring role.
The casting marks a reunion with Interior Chinatown lead Jimmy O. Yang. The two were in Crazy Rich Asians together, where Yang’s Bernard threw Pang’s Colin a bachelor bacchanal aboard a cargo ship in international waters. This time around, Pang plays Older Brother, the charming and talented beloved sibling of protagonist Willis Wu (Yang) whose mysterious disappearance years ago tore the family apart. Now, Willis has an opportunity to investigate his brother’s case when Det. Lana Lee (Chloe Bennet) arrives in the neighborhood with new information.
Interior Chinatown is based on the National Book Award-winning novel of the same name from Charles Yu, who serves as showrunner and is an executive producer on the project alongside Rideback’s Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore and Elsie Choi, Participant’s Jeff Skoll, Miura Kite and Dive’s...
The casting marks a reunion with Interior Chinatown lead Jimmy O. Yang. The two were in Crazy Rich Asians together, where Yang’s Bernard threw Pang’s Colin a bachelor bacchanal aboard a cargo ship in international waters. This time around, Pang plays Older Brother, the charming and talented beloved sibling of protagonist Willis Wu (Yang) whose mysterious disappearance years ago tore the family apart. Now, Willis has an opportunity to investigate his brother’s case when Det. Lana Lee (Chloe Bennet) arrives in the neighborhood with new information.
Interior Chinatown is based on the National Book Award-winning novel of the same name from Charles Yu, who serves as showrunner and is an executive producer on the project alongside Rideback’s Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore and Elsie Choi, Participant’s Jeff Skoll, Miura Kite and Dive’s...
- 4/11/2023
- by Rebecca Sun
- The Hollywood Reporter - Movie News
Exclusive: Viva Kids has nabbed North American rights to the animated family film Rally Road Racers (formerly Silk Road Rally), featuring the voices of Jimmy O. Yang (Patriots Day), J.K. Simmons (Whiplash), Chloe Bennet (Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D.) and more, slating it for a nationwide theatrical release on 1,500 or more screens on May 12.
Related Story Neon Acquires Domestic Rights To Anne Hathaway Sundance Movie ‘Eileen’ Related Story 'Interior Chinatown': Ronny Chieng And Chloe Bennet Join Hulu Series From 20th Television, Charles Yu Related Story Hulu Orders 'Interior Chinatown' To Series; Jimmy O. Yang Star And Taika Waititi To EP, Direct Pilot
The film comes on the heels of the critically acclaimed, animated indie The Amazing Maurice, featuring the voices of Emilia Clarke and Hugh Laurie, which played at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was released in around 2,000 theaters the following month by Viva,...
Related Story Neon Acquires Domestic Rights To Anne Hathaway Sundance Movie ‘Eileen’ Related Story 'Interior Chinatown': Ronny Chieng And Chloe Bennet Join Hulu Series From 20th Television, Charles Yu Related Story Hulu Orders 'Interior Chinatown' To Series; Jimmy O. Yang Star And Taika Waititi To EP, Direct Pilot
The film comes on the heels of the critically acclaimed, animated indie The Amazing Maurice, featuring the voices of Emilia Clarke and Hugh Laurie, which played at this year’s Sundance Film Festival and was released in around 2,000 theaters the following month by Viva,...
- 3/27/2023
- by Matt Grobar
- Deadline Film + TV
Jimmy O. Yang and Amazon are back in the funny business: The “Crazy Rich Asians,” “Love Hard” and “Silicon Valley” star has lined up his second standup comedy special with streamer Prime Video, titled “Guess How Much?”
Set to launch May 2, the event is a followup to Yang’s first Amazon comedy special, “Good Deal,” which launched in August 2020. In his new standup engagement, Yang will poke fun at “love languages, loser friends, and negotiating with his Asian parents,” per Prime Video.
Yang isn’t the only one bringing new laughs to Amazon this spring: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star and “Mad TV” alum Alex Borstein will launch her first Prime Video special, “Corsets & Clown Suits,” April 18.
Aside from his memorable parts in “Crazy Rich Asians,” Netflix’s “Love Hard” and HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” Yang is best known as the author of “How to American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents,...
Set to launch May 2, the event is a followup to Yang’s first Amazon comedy special, “Good Deal,” which launched in August 2020. In his new standup engagement, Yang will poke fun at “love languages, loser friends, and negotiating with his Asian parents,” per Prime Video.
Yang isn’t the only one bringing new laughs to Amazon this spring: “The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel” star and “Mad TV” alum Alex Borstein will launch her first Prime Video special, “Corsets & Clown Suits,” April 18.
Aside from his memorable parts in “Crazy Rich Asians,” Netflix’s “Love Hard” and HBO’s “Silicon Valley,” Yang is best known as the author of “How to American: An Immigrant’s Guide to Disappointing Your Parents,...
- 3/23/2023
- by Jennifer Maas
- Variety Film + TV
Ronny Chieng’s Hulu comedy pilot is not being picked up to series at the streaming service, Variety has learned.
The untitled pilot saw Chieng star the newly-hired general manager of the Brooklyn Nets. It was inspired by real-life Nets owner Joe Tsai. Variety exclusively reported the pilot was in the works in May 2022.
Little was announced about the pilot beyond the initial report, but sources say Chieng co-wrote the pilot with Jon Pollack. Both also served as executive producers along with Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan, and Hannah Pham. Greg Mottola directed the pilot. 20th Television was the studio, with Mar and Kasdan under an overall deal at 20th TV via The Detective Agency. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, 20th TV and the producers plan to shop the project to other outlets.
Chieng remains in business with Hulu, however, as he is set for a series...
The untitled pilot saw Chieng star the newly-hired general manager of the Brooklyn Nets. It was inspired by real-life Nets owner Joe Tsai. Variety exclusively reported the pilot was in the works in May 2022.
Little was announced about the pilot beyond the initial report, but sources say Chieng co-wrote the pilot with Jon Pollack. Both also served as executive producers along with Melvin Mar, Jake Kasdan, and Hannah Pham. Greg Mottola directed the pilot. 20th Television was the studio, with Mar and Kasdan under an overall deal at 20th TV via The Detective Agency. According to an individual with knowledge of the situation, 20th TV and the producers plan to shop the project to other outlets.
Chieng remains in business with Hulu, however, as he is set for a series...
- 3/17/2023
- by Joe Otterson
- Variety Film + TV
Hulu is not moving forward with a pilot that was set to star comedian Ronny Chieng as the general manager of the Brooklyn Nets.
The project is from 20th Television, which hopes to find a new home for the pilot. The story is inspired by real-life Nets owner Joe Tsai.
It was being developed by producing partners Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar.
In the meantime, Chieng joined the cast of Interior Chinatown, a new series in the works for Hulu from 20th Television and creator/executive producer Charles Yu, who wrote the 2020 bestseller of the same name.
Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a background character trapped in a police procedural trying to find his way into the larger story–and along the way discovers secrets about the strange world he inhabits and his family’s buried history. Chieng will play Fatty Choi, Willis’s...
The project is from 20th Television, which hopes to find a new home for the pilot. The story is inspired by real-life Nets owner Joe Tsai.
It was being developed by producing partners Jake Kasdan and Melvin Mar.
In the meantime, Chieng joined the cast of Interior Chinatown, a new series in the works for Hulu from 20th Television and creator/executive producer Charles Yu, who wrote the 2020 bestseller of the same name.
Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a background character trapped in a police procedural trying to find his way into the larger story–and along the way discovers secrets about the strange world he inhabits and his family’s buried history. Chieng will play Fatty Choi, Willis’s...
- 3/17/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Exclusive: Lauren Tom (The Joy Luck Club) has joined the cast of Hulu’s Interior Chinatown from 20th Television and creator/executive producer Charles Yu, who wrote the 2020 bestseller of the same name.
Tom will recur as Betty, a successful real estate agent with a sharp suit and sharper tongue. When her assistant drags her out to look at an abandoned laundromat in Chinatown, Betty is clearly irritated, but her attitude changes when she sees her old friend (and new rival), Lily Wu.
Based on the National Book Award-winning book of the same name, Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a background character trapped in a police procedural trying to find his way into the larger story–and along the way discovers secrets about the strange world he inhabits and his family’s buried history.
Tom’s credits include Andi Mack, Trollhunters and Goliath. She...
Tom will recur as Betty, a successful real estate agent with a sharp suit and sharper tongue. When her assistant drags her out to look at an abandoned laundromat in Chinatown, Betty is clearly irritated, but her attitude changes when she sees her old friend (and new rival), Lily Wu.
Based on the National Book Award-winning book of the same name, Interior Chinatown follows the story of Willis Wu (Jimmy O. Yang), a background character trapped in a police procedural trying to find his way into the larger story–and along the way discovers secrets about the strange world he inhabits and his family’s buried history.
Tom’s credits include Andi Mack, Trollhunters and Goliath. She...
- 2/28/2023
- by Lynette Rice
- Deadline Film + TV
Participant Media has promoted three executives to senior vice president.
Elizabeth Haggard has been elevated to senior VP of narrative film; Nicole Starr has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of content representation and impact; and Rob Williams has been named senior VP of global sales.
Haggard will continue to report to executive VPs of narrative film Anikah McLaren and Robert Kessel. As senior VP of narrative film, she will have greater oversight of the day-to-day development and production of the company’s film slate.
Starr will report to CEO David Linde. In her newly formed role, Starr will engage throughout the content development process for Participant’s narrative, documentary and episodic content.
Williams will report to Liesl Copland, the executive VP of content strategy and sales. He will continue to spearhead daily operations of Participant’s global sales, working with partners and buyers across all stages of a project,...
Elizabeth Haggard has been elevated to senior VP of narrative film; Nicole Starr has been appointed to the newly created position of senior VP of content representation and impact; and Rob Williams has been named senior VP of global sales.
Haggard will continue to report to executive VPs of narrative film Anikah McLaren and Robert Kessel. As senior VP of narrative film, she will have greater oversight of the day-to-day development and production of the company’s film slate.
Starr will report to CEO David Linde. In her newly formed role, Starr will engage throughout the content development process for Participant’s narrative, documentary and episodic content.
Williams will report to Liesl Copland, the executive VP of content strategy and sales. He will continue to spearhead daily operations of Participant’s global sales, working with partners and buyers across all stages of a project,...
- 9/7/2022
- by Rebecca Rubin
- Variety Film + TV
IMDb.com, Inc. takes no responsibility for the content or accuracy of the above news articles, Tweets, or blog posts. This content is published for the entertainment of our users only. The news articles, Tweets, and blog posts do not represent IMDb's opinions nor can we guarantee that the reporting therein is completely factual. Please visit the source responsible for the item in question to report any concerns you may have regarding content or accuracy.